Welsh Motor Sport Hero Predicts Pembrey Rallycross Cracker
Following an 11-week summer break, the 2014 MSA British Rallycross Championship will reconvene at Pembrey this weekend (27 July) – and with more than 50 cars on a bumper entry list, Wales’ leading motor sport star predicts an absolute belter.
The picturesque 0.9-mile Carmarthenshire circuit has been a popular stop on the British Rallycross Championship calendar for more than two decades, and the fourth outing of the current campaign has all the ingredients to be a show-stopper.
One driver yet to try rallycross but who has been keeping a close eye on the burgeoning discipline’s meteoric growth is Elfyn Evans, Wales’ newest rallying hope and already a regular points-finisher with M-Sport in his maiden full campaign in the FIA World Rally Championship.
The son of rallying favourite Gwyndaf Evans, Elfyn reveals that he has been impressed by the flame-spitting, 600bhp rallycross beasts – capable of reaching 60mph faster than an F1 car. Although he is unavailable this weekend due to his Rally Finland preparations, he admits he would be open to the possibility of joining in the fun himself in the future.
“Rallycross is becoming a really popular sport and I think it provides a great mix of all the best aspects of rallying and circuit racing,” acknowledged Evans, who will be in high-speed action in his homeland during Wales Rally GB over the weekend of 14-16 November. “It appeals to a lot of fans and from my knowledge of the M-Sport Ford Fiesta ST RX, the cars are pretty impressive pieces of kit!
“The British Rallycross Championship has had a great season so far in 2014, and this weekend’s round at Pembrey has all the makings of another spectacular event. It’s a fantastic track and if I wasn’t out testing ahead of Rally Finland, I’d love to be there. Maybe one day I’ll even get to have a go myself!”
There are currently nine entries in the bill-topping MSA Supercar class at Pembrey, led by championship leader Julian Godfrey in his Ford Fiesta. The multiple British title-winner holds a 20-point advantage in the standings over ultra-consistent Ford Focus rival Steve Harris.
Other likely contenders will include recent series returnee Ollie O’Donovan in the ex-Kevin Procter Ford Focus, Steve Hill in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 10, Subaru twins Kevin McCann and Simon Horton and Ford Focus duo Andy Grant and Steve Cozens.
Amongst the supporting classes will be MSA Super National – with Haverfordwest-based ace Mike Howlin a surefire crowd-pleaser behind the wheel of his rapid Ford Fiesta – MSA Junior Rallycross, HotHatch, RX Racing 150, Suzuki Swift Sport, Super 1600, BMW Mini and the eagerly-anticipated Retro Rallycross, which will feature the likes of the legendary MG Metro 6R4, Ford Fiesta MkII and Porsche 911.
As the only British car racing championship set to visit Wales this year, Pembrey circuit manager Phil Davies insists the upcoming weekend is truly an event not to be missed.
“The British Rallycross Championship is always a superb spectacle, and after 11 weeks away from the track, the drivers are going to be fired-up in the extreme to put on a spellbinding show for spectators this weekend!” he said.
“There will be fast-and-furious action and sideways slides aplenty, and I personally cannot wait to see the Retro Rallycross cars competing in anger. There is a huge variety of cars on the entry list, and close, exciting racing is guaranteed. It’s going to be absolutely mega!”
Gates open at 08.00 on Sunday, 27 July, with the action on-track getting underway at 09.00. Tickets cost just £12 on the gate, with accompanied children aged 14 and under admitted free of charge.
